key tax return and refund dates
When can you file your taxes?
You can submit your tax return before the IRS begins processing as early as the first week of the year with many tax preparation providers. You don’t need to wait until the IRS begins accepting tax returns but you must have the proper forms and paperwork. Some forms are not available until mid January. Tax returns filed before the IRS officially opens sit in a “queue” and are held until the IRS officially begins accepting tax returns.
Your tax return may be selected in a test batch. If you e-file early and it sits in queue, your return may be sent to the IRS early. This can result in early direct deposits depending on the payment provider you select. Our cycle chart will update with key dates including test batch dates.
When does the IRS accept tax returns?
The IRS usually opens around the third week of January each year. They announce the opening date early in January.
The IRS will begin accepting tax returns in 2025 on January 27th.
When is the IRS test batch?
If you file your tax return early, it may be sent to the IRS in a test batch before the IRS has officially opened for the year. It is usually a week before the date the IRS begins accepting tax returns. This has resulted in refunds in the past that can be posted by direct deposit as early as the day after tax season opens.
When will I get my tax refund?
Early filers whose returns are accepted in a test batch can anticipate a tax refund as early as the day after the IRS opens the January filing season if your return was in the test batch. The day that the IRS deposits refunds varies for regular returns but we notice trends based on the method you chose to file and select to direct deposit. You can use our tax refund calendar or refund cycle chart to help find out when you will get your tax refund.
Where is the IRS refund cycle chart?
The official tax refund cycle chart published by the IRS has been eliminated and replaced with IRS FAQ. Refund cycle charts are now published by independent websites and vary slightly.
A good reference to use is the When To Expect My Refund cycle chart that is published early each year by the College Investor.
tax refund grapevine
This is a user-to-user community of taxpayers. Share experiences and ask questions below in our Live Discussion. We have learned more about tax refunds than we ever wanted to know.
tax refund tools
IRS Update Cycle
Use the IRS Update Cycle chart to find the days and times the WMR and transcript update.
When are Updates?
The IRS has regular mass update cycles.
WHEN DOES WHERES MY REFUND (WMR) UPDATE?
Where’s My Refund can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Wednesday and Saturday when a lot of people see an update. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see updates on Where’s My Refund.
WHEN DO transcripts update?
Transcripts can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Tuesday and Friday. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see an update on your transcript.
@Sebastian: is that when we should see approved due dates, or deposits
@Azluckyfish: lifts to deposit or lifts to show a due date?
@Mamatrilogy3: Same boat….still nothing. “Pending” on the Turbo Tax website and no available information via the IRS website. It has never ever taken this long to be accepted….I am starting to get a little bit nervous.
Please keep me/us updated and I will do the same!
@Mamabear2022: from what I remember it 12.01 on the 15th it lifts
@Mamabear2022: Mid February.
Hi everyone. Seeing if anyone can give me some insight. If we filed dependents and claimed they eic and ctc, does DDD update before the 15th or is it after 15th usually?
@DebMom: no, nothing showing as recurved by IRS
@Sheila_33: lol thank your for helping me and everyone else. Yeah that makes sense.
@SANDY Please let us know if your deposit comes thru with the Path amounts. It very well may be coming without the Path credits for some reason, lets us know.
@Patientlywaiting1987: For some reason, a few don’t. Some have filed so close to the date of the freeze being released that it just bypasses the message. A few others, just never get it and just stay on the first bar with the standard message until the approval and second bar. Honestly, we’ve never figured that one out lol.
@Jessalot: If you have court ordered custody and have the documentation to prove it then there shouldn’t be an issue. You have done what you are legally allowed to do. Send everything in that is needed and they will review and most likely find that you are the one legally allowed to claim them. I went thru a similar situation when my daughter passed away and the step father received payments for my grandson who I have custody of. He now has to pay the money he received back. Keep us updated and try not to worry. :)
@Mary: I am PATH and I have a 846 code on my transcript with date 1-30-2023. Weird. WMR has one bar and no DDD. Topic 152. I’ve always had to wait until February when path lifts.
@SANDY People without the PATH credits are getting updates I believe.
I have a question. I have custody (court ordered) of my sisters kids. They’ve lived with me since 2021. She knew we were claiming the kids on taxes this year but she filed behind my back. I filed taxes and got an advance through hnr block. They contacted me to let me know that i needed to pay the loan in cash and i had to mail in custody papers and tax forms. Do you know what they will do? They didn’t really explain what happens next. Im scared im going to be in some kind of trouble but the kids have lives with me over a year. Thanks you for your time! And any info you can help me with!
Last year I never got the path message anyone know why?
@DebMom: Yes I will keep looking to see if it changes. I did read that if the transcript shows 846 that refund has been issued and on its way. Refund date is for Monday. I get my deposits 1 day early.
@Sandy: well time will tell. If it’s going to a no hold card could be tonight lol
Good evening everyone! Here we go again!
@NY-Khidd: okay, because it’s showing my last 4 of my savings account number for the mother of payment but nothing is in there yet
Hey y’all. I efiled my feds yesterday and it is my first time using freetaxusa I usually use taxslayer. It was after 5 when I filed yesterday but I still haven’t been accepted by the irs. Do they usually take this long?
@Henderson252: they will send you a card that the advance will go on . As well as the rest of your refund they will just reroute the direct deposit info to the card they send you for the advance to ensure they get paid back when you actually get the full refund
@Brit83: If you’re a weekly processor, then the Wmr may update Saturday with the path message on the Wmr. Dailies with the path credits could update to that message any day.